Chapter 13: Why did East Pakistan seek and

then form Independent state of Bangladesh?

• Why was Bangladesh created in 1971?
• Why did Mujeeb ur Rehman and the Awami League demand the six points?
• Why did the victory of Awami League in 1970 elections in Pakistan cause a
constitutional crises?

• Political factors were more important than any other factor in the creation of
Bangladesh in 1971? Do you agree or disagree? Explain your answer.
FACTORS THAT LED TO THE CREATION OF
BANGLADESH:
Geographical

Indian Propaganda

Disparity in Health Facilities

Disparity in Education

Social and Cultural Disparity

Economic Disparity

Lack of Political representation:

LACK OF GEOGRAPHICAL LINKS:
• There were more than 1000 miles setween the two wings.
• Hostile territory (India) separated the two wings. In fact, Pakistan was called a "double country".
• Shifting resources like army and weapons was very difficult and it made defence of East Pakistan vulnerable.
• This factor was exploited by India.

INDIAN PROPAGANDA:
• Many historians consider the 'brotherly patronage' of East Pakistan by India, in the volatile unrest to having
worsened the situation.
• Pakistan thought that arming the Mukhti Bahini and interferimg across the border was intrusive and hostile
behaviour by India.

DISPARITY IN HEALTH FACILITIES:

• In 1948, there were only 200 doctors and 3000 hospital beds in East Pakistan, Showing the lack of basic
essential services in the region.
DISPARITY IN EDUCATION:
• 1947-1958, the number of primary schools in West Pakistan rose by 163%, but in East Pakistan, the increase
in the same period was just 38%.
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL DISPARITY:
• There was no common language, history and culture. Islam was the only unifying factor.
Language issue:
• Bengalis felt that since 6% Pakistanis spokg Urdu, while 56% spoke Bengali, the latter should be the national
language.
• However, the Quaid felt that this would worsen provincialism and that there needed to be a language that
belonged to no one group so that it would bind the Pakistanis and serve as a link language.
• Despite this, Bengali became a symbol of ethnic nationalism and a major cause of the breaking of East
Pakistan.
• 21 February 1952, State Language Day was celebrated by students in East Pakistan. Despite the government
ban on protests, a march was held in which tear gas used by police killed several students.
• Further protests and deaths ensued.

• Religious viewpoint – West more conservative, East more liberal.

• Cultural Differences - Art, music, literature all distinctly different from each other.

• Some people in West Pakistan did, indeed, consider their culture to be superior to that of East Pakistan, as
discussed in his autobiography, 'Friends, Not Masters', by Ayub Khan.
ECONOMIC DISPARITY:
• In 1947, the affluent province of West Bengal was given to India. Calcutta, with industries and port was also
given.
• East Pakistan was POOR compounded by WEATHER PHENOMENA, like typhoons, cyclones and floods
• Govt Steps to boost economy, aid etc favored West Pakistan (More than twice foreign aid and capital
investment went to West)
• It was believed that West Pakistan's defence spending (to protect its borders came from the export of Jute
which was grown in East.

• Stats: During 1949-1960, the per capita (per head) income in WEST PAKISTAN INCREASED from Rs. 330 to
373.
• In 1951, the per capita income of East Pakistan it declined from Rs.305 to Rs.288.
• In 1951, West Pakistan was 15% wealthier than East Pakistanis.
• BY 1970, THE GAP HAD GROWN TO 40%.

• EP believed that WP growth came due to resource transference from East to West
• Largest spending was on Military to protect borders.
Lack of Political representation:
• Representation in Govt, Judiciary and civil service lacking.
• Military (less than 20% from East)
• High ranking posts in Dhaka occupied by West Pakistani or refugees
from India.
MEASURES TAKEN BY YAHYA KHAN AFTER BECOMING CHIEF MARTIAL LAW ADMINISTRATOR:

• Martial law was declared throughout the country.

• Banned all political activities.
• Abrogated the 1962 constitution. PCO or Provisional Constitutional Order was issued.

Plan:
• Elections would be held in October 1970.
• Unrestricted political activity was allowed from January 1970.
Cyclone 1970:
November 1970- Tropical cyclone (Bhola) hit East Pakistan , 500,000 people lost their lives.
Govt in West, slow to react
East Pakistanis were bitterly angry that West Pakistan was slow to react to their calamity

Elections 1970:
• In December, Delayed due to the cyclone
• The elections were held based on one man one vote - adult franchise
Two parties were major contenders:
1. PPP in West Pakistan
2. Awami League in East Pakistan
• Heavy turnout (90% in some areas), and considered to be very successful.
• Relatively peaceful and no rigging or manipulation.
WHAT WAS the PPP:

Pakistan People's Party (PPP) was founded by Bhutto in October 1967.

It attacked Ayub'spolicies and drew public support from the deprived
millions with its socialist slogan of 'roti, kapraand makaan' (food,
clothing and shelter).
MUJEEB-UR-REHMAN:
• One of the founders of the Awami Muslim League in 1949.
• Became the President of the Awami League in 1966.
• During 1966, at the time of Ayub Khan, Mujib-ur-Rehman presented a Six-point
Programme that called for East Pakistan's autonomy.

AGARTALA CONSPIRACY CASE:

• In January 1968, the government arrested Mujib-ur-Rehman.
• The charges were that he was conspiring with Indian RAW agents, to bring about secession (break-up) of East
from West Pakistan.
• Under enormous pressure of riots and unstable political conditions, Ayub khan terminated the case In 1969 and
released Mujlb, but stigma of anti state activites remained with his name and consequently he lacked support
of the armed forces of Pakistan.
WHAT WAS THE AWAMI LEAGUE:

• The Awami Muslim League was a political party, established in East Pakistan in 1949, 'Muslim' was
dropped in 1955.
• It demanded the autonomy of East Pakistan from its inception
• Election campaign based on Six Points presented by Sheikh Mujeeb-ur-Rehman (President of AL)

THE SIX POINTS WERE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A federal form of goverment With a directly elected parliament. (to counter politicial problems)
2. Central (federal) government only to be in-charge of defence and foreign policy.
3. To prevent the flight of capital from East to West Pakistan, separate currencies or fiscal policies
should be adopted. (to counter economic problems)
4. Collection of taxes at provincial level
5. Each province to be able to enter trade agreements with other countries and to have full control
over foreign exchange earnings (to counter economic problems- economic independence).
6. The provinces should have their own paramilitary forces (e.g. Rangers, police,
ANALYSIS OF 6 POINTS AND REASONS FOR THEIR REJECTION:

1. Weak Center-weak control –weak country :

• The link of the two provinces to the central government would be too loose.
• The central government would have weak administrative control and would therefore be ineffective.

2 . Economic issues:
• The central government woud have weak economic control and would therefore be financially weak
• Allocation of resources would also prove to be problematic if each province is handling its own fiscal
policy

3. Vunlerable to threats – provinces divded :

• Pakistan would be too divided (e.g.separate currencies, paramilitary forces, looking out for their own
interests and not of the country as a whole.
• This would weaken as a country, making it more vulerable to external and internal threats.

Critics said the 6 points hinted at separatism and secession.

SPECIFIC RESULTS OF THE 1970 ELECTION:

300 seats (total number of seats) = 162 (EP)+138 (WP)

1. East pakistan, The Awami League, led by Shaikh Mujib-ur-Rehman, won an overwhelming
majority (160/162 seats).

2. West Pakistan, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) led by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto won 81/138 seats.

3. AWAMI LEAGUE THUS HAD ABSOLUTE MAJORITY (160/300 seats).

The IMPLICATION was that, for the first time, a democratically elected Prime Minister - from East
Pakistan - would take control of the Pakistan government (led to constitutional crisis).
Problems created by the results: (ref to critique of Six Points)

• The Awami League had contested the elections based on Mujib's Six Point Formula,which
demanded political and economic freedom for the Bengalis. The Awami League won a
majority in the Assembly, and this allowed it to dictate terms after its electoral victory.
They could form their own government with no role for PPP or West.

• AL called for limiting ceentral government powers, especially foreign exchange reducing
funds to central government

• Fear of breaking of provinces – weakeaning country

Conflict:
• After the Elections: PHASE 1 (Start of the conflict)
• 2nd March 1971 CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MOVEMENT, –PHASE 2
• 15 to 25 March 1971: - Talks - PHASE 3
• CIVIL WAR IN EAST PAKISTAN: PHASE 4
• 25th March 1971: OPERATION SEARCHLIGHT
• 26 March 1971: the Sovereign People's Republic of Bangladesh declared
• Mukhti Bahini set up
War with India: PHASE 5 (3rd December 1971)
After the Elections: PHASE 1 (Start of the conflict)

• Yahya Khan called for the National Assembly session to be held in Dhaka, on 3rd March 1971, and
declared that Mujib would be the new Prime Minister of Pakistan.
• However, the resistance from the military, and Bhutto, caused a delay in these proceedings.
• Bhutto warned his party members from West Pakistan that if any member went to Dhaka to attend
the NA session, “I will break his legs."

• 1 March, 1971, two days before the session on 3rd March was due, suddenly the next date of the
National Assembly session was delayed and transfer of power was fixed for 25th March, 1971.

• CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MOVEMENT, –PHASE 2

• As a result of this action, Mujeeb launched his CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MOVEMENT on 2nd March 1971
demanding :
• 1. Immediate withdrawal of martial law.
• 2. An inquiry into the loss of life.
• 3. Immediate transfer of power to National Assembly
CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MOVEMENT, slogan “Joi Bangla”
• Pakistan flag was burnt in East Pakistan.
• There were strikes, public demonstrations and mass civil disobedience
• Pro-west Pakistanis were slaughtered.
• Taxes were not paid.

15 to 25 March 1971: - Talks - PHASE 3

Yahya Khan, Bhutto and Mujeeb ur Rehman met in Dhaka for talks.
General Tikka Khan was also brought in, and he asked for reinforcements.
Yahya Khan and Bhutto flew back to Islamabad, negotiations broke down

• 26th March 1971: MUJIB was ARRESTED

• Many arrests and killings started.
• Many of Mujib's senior colleagues escaped to India
CIVIL WAR IN EAST PAKISTAN: PHASE 4
• 25th March 1971: OPERATION SEARCHLIGHT (source) was the crackdown on Dhaka University
and Awami League installations, launched by Pakistan Army on 25th March 1971.
• Bhutto & Yahya knew about it. It was carried out under the command of General Tikka Khan

• 26 March 1971: the Sovereign People's Republic of Bangladesh was proclaimed in a radio
broadcast.
• Press censorship was imposed and Political activity was banned.
• (Historians tell of the genocide waged by Awami League mobs against non-Bengalis while others
cite instances of war crimes committed by the Pakistan Army)

• Mukhti Bahini set up -'Freadom fighters or 'liberation forces'. This was the armed organization
that fought against the Pakistan Army deployed in East Pakistan.
• In 1971. It was a guerrilla army, said to be trained and armed by the Indian Army
• They set up an alternative administrative structure and were accused of killing supporters of West
Pakistan.
War with India: PHASE 5
Background:
• 31 March 1971: India declared its support for the 'people of Bengal”
• Millions of Bengali refugees fled across the border to India.
Allies:
• 9th August 1971: India and the former USSR concluded a treaty of peace, friendship and cooperation
(game-changing) the former superpower at that point,
• China was no match at that point and USA advised Pakistan to find a political solution.
War:
• 3rd December 1971: Pakistan and India went to war.
• Pakistan air force launched attacks on military targets in North India. (retaliation to Indian interference)
• 4th December 1971: India lauches ground, air and naval attack
• 6th December 1971: India recognizes Bangladesh.
• Within two weeks Indian forces had surrounded Dhaka.
• 16 December 1971: General Niazi surrendered on behalf of Pakistan Army. To add to the humiliation, over
90,000 Pakistani soldiers were taken as prisoners of war (POWs).
• Instrument of Surrender signed by General Aurora and Commander of Pakistani army – LFT-General Abullah
Khan Niazi.
• 20th December 1971: Yahya Khan resigned as President and Bhutto, who had been sent to the United
Nations to plead Pakistan's case by Yahya, assumed power.
• In the UN, Bhutto had madea speech, torn the Polish resolution that asked India and Pakistan to withdraw
their troops, and stormed out before an international solution to the matter could be reached.

• 21st December 1971: the Republic of Bangladesh was officially declared.

• 8th January 1972 :Mujib was released by Bhutto and returned to Bangladesh
• 10th January 1972: sworn in as the first Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

PAKISTAN LOST THE 1971 WAR BECAUSE:

• India’s Strength: There was a military imbalance between Pakistan and India – Pakistan unable to counter the
aggressive interreference in its internal matters
• Allies: Pakistan’s Allies were not willing to help, China wasn’t as strong, Unlike Russia
• UN: Did not intervene
• East Pakistan’s own wish: Didn’t want to be a part of Pakistan any more and army wasn’t able to force them
Hamood-ur-Rehman Commission Report:

• Bhutto appointed a commission to investigate the disastrous events of 1971

• Hammod-ur-Rehman was the Chief Justice of the supreme court
• Report wasn’t published at that time, only surfaced in 2000.

 Military action couldn’t replace a political settlement

 No proper dialogue between leaders
 Excessive military action turned people against the government
 India keen to see breakup of Pakistan
 Lack of leadership on army with a loss of will to fight